Mediterranean forests shaped by millennia of human interaction and adapted to highly variable climatic conditions, form complex and dynamic landscapes and represent a wealthy cultural and natural heritage. They offer a wealth of valuable resources: more than timber, it is the many essential ecosystem services they provide that represent the true value of Mediterranean forests. They support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, prevent soil erosion, store carbon, and contribute to local livelihoods through non-wood forest products such as cork, resins, and medicinal plants. Their role in sustaining both nature and people through these ecosystem services is invaluable.
However, Mediterranean ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, facing rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, more frequent wildfires, and land degradation. Strengthening their adaptive capacity is crucial to ensure their long-term resilience and the continued delivery of ecosystem services.
Acknowledging the unique importance of Mediterranean ecosystems, and recognising the distinguishing features of Mediterranean forests compared to those found in the rest of Europe, the Spanish government has been fundamental in supporting the European Forest Institute Mediterranean Facility (EFIMED), helping it become established in 2007 and providing annual funding ever since. It is thanks to this vital support and forward-thinking vision that EFIMED exists today, working as a hub for collaboration in the region. The Spanish Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities continues as its main donor, playing a crucial role in fostering research and on the ground activities in forests in the region.
On 20 March 2025, EFIMED had the pleasure to host two representatives from the Ministryat EFI’s offices in Barcelona. The EFIMED Head Michele Bozzano and the rest of the EFIMED team had a productive exchange with Inmaculada Figueroa (Deputy Director General for Consortia, Organisations, and International Scientific Infrastructures) and Ana Aricha (Deputy Vice Director General for Consortia, Organisations, and International Scientific Infrastructures).
Discussions focused on EFIMED’s research initiatives and its collaborations with stakeholders across both European and Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries. Given that forests and the challenges that they face do not stop at political borders, collaboration with partners from outside Europe is essential to address shared issues and threats. Exchanging knowledge and developing common solutions can bring to excellent results, as testified by the co-development of the Mediterranean Forest Research Agenda 2030, a collective effort with participation from researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the EFIMED network in the region.
The meeting also explored EFIMED past and current projects in Mediterranean forests, highlighting the cooperation with Spanish and Mediterranean stakeholders. The Ministry’s continuous support has been a cornerstone in these collaborative efforts, enabling EFIMED to cooperate with actors from across the region. EFIMED staff presented upcoming initiatives, including plans for a coordinated regional approach to conserving regional forest diversity in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries by protecting and fostering the sustainable use of Mediterranean forest genetic resources.
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